The American Center was originally an addition to a 56 year old Art and Culture Center in Paris which housed, shops, cafés, retailers a 400 seat theatre and residential accommodation. The concept’s success was not long lived and was practically abandoned two years after it opened. Today the building has been renewed with a 34million dollar restoration project which primarily focused on the interior, including four screening rooms, several floors of museum space, a multimedia library, a restaurant and a bookstore.
The exterior presents a typical Frank Gehry design – an amalgamation of skewed solid geometry, proportionately formed to create a sense of flow. The walls are made from honey coloured stone which takes a conscious sensitivity towards the surrounding local architecture by blending in.
The residential section has 7 levels including a penthouse with a unique balcony. 2 levels of parking are provided underground.
As with most Frank Gehry’s buildings, the form conveys a simplistic scene of large shapes to the eye, but structurally complex to construct. A lot of area is wasted for decoration purpose however the extravagance and bold design equally emits a sense of inspiration and playfulness that justifies this ‘non-use’ of space.
Article - http://www.francetoday.com/articles/2010/05/18/the-cinematheque-francaise.html. Retrieved 24 - 09 - 2010
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